Well i got a few questions... I've used linux before but its been several years.

(About to convert to redhat shrike from windows xp)

1. I currently use outlook express for my emails. Is there a way to convert/import my emails(dbx files) for use in any of the linux email clients.

2. I have a DWL-120+ ... I've heard from several sources that it won't work in linux. If it doesn't then I won't install linux and stay with winblows. Can anyone confirm this or tell me how to make it work?

3. I run a largish gaming website which uses vBulletin as its forums and stuff. I'm considering making a testboard on my pc. Here is the question... how hard is it to set up a server that no one outside of my LAN can view?

4. I currently run Trillian 2.0 Pro under windows... I heard there might be a way to make it run under linux but the details where fuzzy... anyone can clear them up or know of another client to use... and not gaim because i feel the interface is rather clunky the last time i used it.

5. 3d graphics programs? Does linux have anything that can rival the power of 3dsmax? If not it doesn't matter it be nice if it did but not nessicary(sp?).


Well thank you to whoever helps!

I truely am a !

I can't really speak on the other points, but I will highly recommend blender as possibly the best 3D modeling software I've ever used. I've only used 3DSMax a tiny bit, but I have a good idea of what it's capable of, and blender can do just about anything. IMHO it's even comparable to high-end commercial packages like Softimage or Maya.

i'm running mandrake 9.1 and the (povray modeler) that comes as part of the package has seemed to be sufficient. i am an architectural detailer so this is an important featrure for me. the only cad package i've found (for real 2d drafting) that is comparable (for my uses anyway) has been varicad. if 2d is not a neccessity, and, 3d is not really important, then you may find that povray modeler will serve your purposes quite nicely. keep in mind that my uses may not meet or may exceed you're requirements.. as far as powerful i have had no probs w/ povray modeler, however, it may be distro specific.
sorry to be no help w/ the other items, good luck. hope this helps w/ at least 1 ?

Well.... still need some help with the other questions. But thanks so far!

Anyone please? I kinda wanted to get linux installed today.

Concerning getting Trillian to work; it may, it may not. It's hard to know until you try.
Basically, you run windows programs through wine, see http://www.winehq.org/

The latest version listed in the appdb is 1.0, and some people at least have gotten it to work.
http://appdb.winehq.com/appview.php?...versionId=1333

Weather 2.0 will work, or more specifically, will work for you, is anyones guess until you've tried

Fewyn, you could probably find answers to all your questions by searching the web a little bit. I found a post about the DWL-120 and how one person got it to work. Try searching Google for answers to your other questions.

wapcaplet I have a DWL-120+ note the + it has a significance.... the + means there is a different chipset

I followed Wapcaplets advice and looked on Google for "DWL+Driver". And I found the page you need.

It is here. Look on the Projects Homepage for more detail.

Refining your Google search too much can result in finding nothing, yet going for a broad search and actually looking through the results can give you what you need.

That should quite easy. At least the part about not letting anyone else view it
I've got no idea how to set up a server or vBullitin board, as I've never tried
There are several options (well, two at least ):


1)
As you have a LAN I assume you have a router. Just make sure the router doesn't forward any requests to port 80, or whatever you port you set the board to. The process of doing this tends to vary between routers, so I can't really help you any further.

2)
If you use DZM (DMZ?) (or whatever it's called when you forward everything to one machine)
and don't feel like turning it off, you can also make one specific port open only to a specific ip or ip range with iptables (never used ipchains, so I can't say). And while configuring iptables by command line seems a bit arcane to me, there are graphical front ends that make it quite easy.

LAN:s tend to be on 192.168.0.0/16